Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.
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1) Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will have the exclusive release of Silver Oak Cellar’s 2007 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on Saturday, August 6. Through the Fleming’s Icon Wine program, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a bottle of special wine at a very special price. The 2007 Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will be available for $100 per bottle (normal list price of $150 - $175) until September 30—or until inventory runs out. Coinciding with Silver Oak Cellar’s official release, Fleming’s will have exclusivity on this wine for approximately one week.

"The 2007 Silver Oak Alexander Cabernet Sauvignon is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and a blend of wine from several different vineyards. They achieved a balance of the wine’s natural elements by blending prior to barreling. Aged exclusively in American Oak for 25 months and an additional 15 months in bottle, the 2007 vintage has been cellared under ideal conditions, resulting in the inviting softness and texture of an aged wine.  It is a profound, fruit-driven wine from a classic California vintage. It has a dark ruby color with a purple edge and an inviting nose of ripe black plum, blackberry, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is rich and full, reminiscent of the flavors of a berry cobbler. It has a long, fruity finish with fine grained tannins, and is a testament to exquisite ripeness at moderate alcohol. With proper cellaring, this wine should give drinking pleasure through 2031."

2) The Beehive is going tropical! On Thursday, August 11, the internationally renowned band, Live Tropical Fish will make a stop at The Beehive on their American tour to debut their new album, “The Day is Too Short to be Selfish,” for a special performance from 10pm-2am.

Live Tropical Fish was formed in Bologna, Italy in 1992 and by 1998 the nine-person band was opening for Earth, Wind and Fire, winning over the hearts and ears of fans all across the world. Their recent album titled “The Day Is Too Short To Be Selfish” is an international collaboration featuring guest performances by some of the most important names in contemporary jazz including Omar LyeFook, Deborah Jordan, Laurnea and Maya Azucena, to name a few. A perfect mix of soul, R&B, funk, jazz, latin and afrobeat, the album integrates the various backgrounds and cultures of the musicians as well as the soul-quenching stories that have become a trademark of the band.

The new Live Tropical Fish live show will bring nine artists onto the stage including the core members: Fabrizio “Doc Bix” Poli (Percussion), Antonio “Lurpak” Fernè (Bass) and Salvo Pignanelli (Guitar), as well as a special appearance by Maya Azucena, a young vocalist who has worked with Stephen Marley and Bob Sinclair, and Alison Crockett, vocalist who has worked with Roy Ayers, King Britt, Greg Osby and US3. Don’t miss this tour stop, happening one night only, at The Beehive!

INFO: No cover charge, cash bar, reservations recommended

3) Between August 14-19 and 21-26, more than 200 restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week Boston®. Diners can take advantage of prix fixe three-course dinners for $33.11, three-course lunches for $20.11, and two-course lunches for $15.11. Prices are per person and exclude beverages, tax and gratuity. Diners are encouraged to take advantage of special Restaurant Week hotel packages, “Great Deals” and special summer events during the two week promotion, all of which can be found at www.BostonUSA.com

Restaurant Week Boston® is proud to include a Charitable Partner and give back to the community. When diners use any American Express® Card at participating restaurants, $.25 per transaction, up to $5000 will be donated to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. In addition, participating restaurants have all donated a $100 gift certificate to be auctioned off at www.rwbauction.com beginning August 15, 2011. All proceeds from the auction will also benefit the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.

BostonChefs also provides an interesting and useful Restaurant Week site.

4) Over 60 food vendors and exhibitors, 20 sponsors and 100 volunteers have already signed up to promote the benefits of eating local food and to offer a diversity of locally grown and sourced dishes at affordable prices of $5 or less. The 2nd Annual Boston Local Food Festival will take place on Saturday, October 1, along Fort Point Channel near Boston Children’s Museum from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Themed “Healthy Local Food for All!,” the event connects eaters with farmers and local food producers. Produced by Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN), the festival is built upon the principals of creating a local, green and fair economy and is entirely funded and supported by local businesses.

During this free, zero waste festival, local food luminaries Chef JJ Gonson of Cuisine en Locale, Butcher Tom Daly of Savenor's, and Matt Jennings of Farmstead will join farmers, fisher folk, and food producers in showcasing local food outdoors along the Boston Harborwalk. Spectators of all backgrounds will learn about the benefits of sustainably produced local food, engage with top local chefs, farmers and entrepreneurs, and taste local craft brew, including beer, wine and mead, all while enjoying local music and art.

A sampling of exhibitors and vendors include Boston Harbor Association, Enterprise Farm, The Food Project, Haley House, Taza Chocolate, The Dining Car, Nella Pasta, Sportello and The Butcher Shop, Batch Ice Cream, and Miles Smith Farm. Major sponsors and partners of the festival include Katsiroubus Produce, Organic Valley, The Longfellow Clubs, Olivia’s Organics, Boston Organics, Savenor's, City Fresh Foods, Save That Stuff, Boston Children's Museum, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston Harbor Associates and Friends of Fort Point.